With the first round about to unfold tonight, here are the final mock drafts of Sporting News football writers, draft expert Russ Lande and the beat writers who cover the 32 teams for SN.

The five mocks don't agree on a lot, but all five predict Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller will go 1-2-3 to Carolina, Denver and Buffalo. After that, the only complete consensus is that Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley will be selected by the Titans at No. 8.

Vinnie Iyer, SN NFL writer

The art of mock drafting won't ever be confused with an exact science, and that's especially true in one of the NFL's strangest offseasons where uncertainty rules over everything in the league. So here's taking a shot at what will be a most unpredictable first round on Thursday night:

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. Sure, the Panthers are desperate to upgrade their passing game, but it's a lot more reliable to do so with an explosive big-play wide receiver such as A.J. Green.

2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama. Under new coach John Fox, the timing of going back to a 4-3 works perfectly with adding this interior difference-maker.

3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M. When you choose to run a 3-4 in the NFL, it doesn't quite work unless you have that disruptive edge pass rusher who blows up protection plans.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. If for some reason, Dareus falls, their defense could use such a player, but they'll be just fine taking Chad Ochocinco's replacement.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU. Even though they desperately need a quarterback, there's no reason to reach for Blaine Gabbert or anyone else here when they can grab such a secondary stud.

6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, OLB/DE, North Carolina. Julio Jones is a popular pick, but Quinn is the better one. Another 3-4 team gets a premier sack artist, straight from former Browns coach Butch Davis.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. They would be better off with Peterson or Quinn, but if they're gone, they need to pair Jim Harbaugh with someone he believes can be his man.

8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. He's been slipping but he'll land on solid ground in Nashville, where coaches hope he can be more like the great Albert Haynesworth than the unreliable one.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, T, USC. Depending on whom they like better, either Smith or Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo needs to be the pick.

10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. There's no need for the Redskins to gamble on a quarterback such as Jake Locker if Jones is still available.